Article 2: National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
Why in news: India’s National Food Security Act, 2013 is in news due to concerns over persistent anaemia and uneven improvements in women’s nutrition, despite a decade of implementing the country’s right-to-food framework.
Key Details
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 forms the backbone of India’s right-to-food framework, guaranteeing subsidised food grains and nutrition support.
- The Act provides subsidised cereals, supplementary nutrition for pregnant and lactating women, young children, and maternity entitlements.
- Several states have expanded food programmes by including local foods, millets, and fortified staples in public nutrition schemes.
- Despite these initiatives, improvements in women’s nutrition remain uneven across regions.
- Anaemia among women continues to be a major concern, indicating persistent nutritional challenges.
Background and Objective
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to ensure food and nutritional security by providing subsidised food grains as a legal entitlement.
- It shifts India’s food policy from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based framework.
- It seeks to guarantee access to adequate quantity and quality of food at affordable prices.
Coverage of Population
- Covers about 67% of India’s population.
- Includes:
- 75% of the rural population.
- 50% of the urban population.
- Beneficiaries are classified as:
- Priority households.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households.
Food Grain Entitlements
- Priority households:
- 5 kg food grains per person per month.
- AAY households:
- 35 kg food grains per household per month.
- Subsidised prices fixed under the Act:
- Rice – ₹3/kg
- Wheat – ₹2/kg
- Coarse grains – ₹1/kg.
Nutritional Support for Vulnerable Groups
- Children (6 months–6 years) receive nutritious meals through Anganwadi centres under Integrated Child Development Services.
- School children (6–14 years) receive mid-day meals through Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
- Pregnant and lactating women receive:
- Nutritious meals.
- Maternity benefit of at least ₹6,000.
Women Empowerment Provision
- The eldest woman (18 years or above) in the household is recognised as the head of the ration card.
- Promotes women’s empowerment and decision-making in households.
Food Security Allowance
- If food grains are not supplied to beneficiaries, they are entitled to a food security allowance from the government.
Implementation Mechanism
- Implemented through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
- Involves procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains by the government.
Transparency and Accountability Measures
- Social audits to ensure transparency.
- Mandatory public disclosure of records related to food distribution.
- Use of technology such as digitised ration cards and Aadhaar linking to reduce leakages.
Grievance Redressal System
- Establishment of State Food Commissions to monitor implementation.
- District grievance redressal officers to address complaints.
- Mechanisms for citizens to report irregularities in food distribution.
Significance
- Provides legal backing to food security in India.
- Helps reduce hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations.
- Strengthens social protection and poverty alleviation.
- Improves nutrition among children, women, and disadvantaged groups.
Major Challenges
- Identification errors leading to exclusion of deserving beneficiaries.
- Leakages and corruption in the Public Distribution System.
- Storage and transportation issues causing wastage of food grains.
- High fiscal burden due to food subsidies.
- Need for better nutritional diversification beyond cereals.
Conclusion
India’s National Food Security Act, 2013 has strengthened the right-to-food framework by expanding access to subsidised food and nutrition programmes. However, persistent anaemia and uneven improvements in women’s nutrition highlight gaps in implementation. Strengthening diet diversity, maternal nutrition programmes, and state-level innovations will be essential to ensure the Act effectively improves nutritional outcomes across the country.